Berlin steps up its game to be among the top five fashion weeks in the world

Berlin is gearing up to kick off a new edition of Berlin Fashion Week on 17 January, welcoming over 200,000 visitors as buyers, journalists and industry insiders come together to see the latest collections from the best local talent.

Panorama is thought to be the largest fashion fair in Europe - Foto: PanoramaThe programme includes the fashion trade show Panorama, which is described as the largest fashion exhibition in Europe. Expanding in size and concept, this season’s show will see an increased surface, boasting 42,000 square feet more than last year and nine new halls. Panorama Berlin is also expanding the existing range of products by adding a dedicated area for lingerie, underwear and loungewear.

Premium Managing Director Anita Tillmann thinks the exhibition owes its reputation as Berlin’s best fashion fair to the carefully selected brand mix - Foto: PremiumMeanwhile, over 1000 brands and 1800 collections will be on display at Premium, the trade fair that is conveniently held at Messe Berlin. Anita Tillmann, managing partner of Premium Group thinks the exhibition owes its reputation as Berlin’s best fashion fair to the carefully selected brand mix.

New this season will be an Outdoor section at a former postal freight depot at Gleisdreieck, while further trade shows Show&Order, Bright and Seek will continue to serve their respective segments at Berlin Fashion Week.

Greenshowroom and Ethical Fashion Show will be presenting some of the city's hottest sustainable labels - Foto: Ethical Fashion ShowSustainable fashion and upcycled designs will be showcased at dedicated trade shows GreenShowroom and Ethical Fashion Show, however specialised brands will be also present at the largest trade fairs with numerous sustainable brands in the line-ups.

This January the catwalk schedule will be moving into a new venue, a historical building located in central Berlin. Highlights of the catwalk programme include collections from Austriandesign.at, Biaggi, Blue Valley, Inti Ferreira, Johanna Riplinger, Lanius, Lanius X Kunert, Royal Blush, Somyso, Studio Elsien Gringhuis, Studio Jux and Xess+Baba.

Running from 17-20 January, the fashion week is expected to draw nearly 200,000 visitors, including 550 trade journalists. In total, more than 70 fashion shows and 200 events will be staged over the four day event.